The pro-European party won Moldova’s election but obstacles to join the EU remain

Russia's campaign to amplify societal distrust continues as membership talks have stalled

In the end, the results were better than Moldova's western allies had dared hope. Sunday's parliamentary elections saw the pro-EU party of president Maia Sandu win a convincing victory, confirming the westward path of this former Soviet republic of 2.4 million people.

With nearly all votes counted, Sandu's ruling Action and Solidarity party had secured 50.03% of the vote, compared to 24.26% for the pro-Russian Patriotic bloc. The solid win came despite widespread reports of Russian meddling and a series of shocks that could have toppled any incumbent government.